[Publib] A second to the plea to knock off the sparring

Tue Jun 24 16:32:31 EDT 2008

Have the listserv moderators chimed in on this one yet?  I am surprised
and embarrassed for some of the distasteful mud-slinging and vicious
one-up-manship on the part of some posters.  This is NOT the purpose of
this group, nor of our profession.

Julie's 2 cents

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Su Epstein
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 12:46 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] A second to the plea to knock off the sparring

I would like to second this and add, that for unfriendly, generally rude
commentary and verbal sparring, I have a whole town full of teenagers
willing to oblige!

Thanks,

Su

Su Epstein, Ph.D.

Library Director

Saxton B. Little Free Library

Columbia, CT 06237

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Andrea Berstler -
Director
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:56 PM
To: onicodnem at gmail.com; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Internet rules

Could we tone it down ever so slightly and return to library related
topics?!

If I want politically-related discussions, I will turn on
CNN/MSNBC/FOXNews.  

Andrea 

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Haiku Onicodnem
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 1:50 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Internet rules

Knieriem, Lesley wrote: 

Haiku Onicodnem, are you aware that most of the members of PUBLIB are
practicing librarians in the United States of America?  Do you know how
policies are formulated, debated, vetted, and instituted in most public
library systems?  Perhaps you practice in an institution in which
faceless men in black suits swoop down in helicopters, hand out detailed
Computer Use Policies, and force cowering system administrators at
gunpoint to install them on their computer screens?

I honestly don't know how to respond to someone who, in a democratic
republic, considers the government to be some alien entity imposed upon
the hapless populace; and who considers the mutual agreement of minor
restrictions on individual freedom in the service of the common good to
be "fascism."  Nor to someone who thinks it is the duty of every
librarian, in the name of "freedom of information"  to offer uninformed
opinions or advice about legal, financial, and medical matters about
which they are untrained and unqualified.  

In either case, I might politely suggest that you tone down your
insulting rhetoric, both in private e-mails and on a public list.  

Thank you.

Lesley K

P.S.  Being a librarian, I *am* qualified to provide information on the
shared root of the words "policy" and "police".  Both derive from the
Greek root "poleis", referring to the "city-state";  specifically
referring to a sovereign entity that is ruled not by a tyrant or an
oligarchy but by its own citizens.  There is substantial archaeological,
historical, and philosophical research and discussion about the relative
obligations of the individual and the community in such an organization.
I would be delighted to provide references if you wish to investigate
further.

I see you are a smart-ass, too.  I'm quite aware of the ancient Greek
root, and I can go back to proto-Indo-European with it if I wish.  Being
a political science minor for undergrad, Western Political Thought is
what I focused on.  Your fabled "Greek democracy" applied only to a
selected strata of the privileged, definitely not to slaves, and not to
other human beings within the society, ascribed to such classes at
birth.  Hilarious you cite that as an example to be admired!

I'm well aware of how policies are generated.  The County (or governing
organization) Attorney and bureaucrats generally decree the limited
parameters for debate, and the professional librarians are "allowed" to
discuss that.  All based on fear - generally the fear of "liability."
(and in some cases, in response to some religious nutters or rich and
politically influential lobbies).  "We can't" as opposed to "We can!"

As for America being a "democratic republic," it never has been such a
thing.  "Democratic republics" are generally totalitarian regimes, like
the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR - Communist East Germany) or
the "Democratic People's Republic" of Korea (North).  America has been
and is a Republic (you're a librarian, go look it up).  And only the
most obtuse idiot believes the American government "represents 'the
People'."  Nay, America is a Plutocratic Republic.  And it remains so
because people just like you ACCEPT that fact and make excuses galore
for not doing anything about it.

No reference librarian on Earth is an "expert" on everything.  Hence,
the majority of answers provided are "uninformed opinions" by your
definition.  Providing a patron a Chilton manual can just as easily
cause liability (and making a gross error, unchecked by the patron,
could lead to injury or death, unlike with tax questions).  Liability
and risk lies in every thing ever human being does and says.  The
question remains: why are you too dense to recognize that "verboten"
subjects are logical absurdities in this "democratic republic"
fantasyland you claim this country is?  I have a book for you: OCLC
5690160.  Study the central principle of the book, recognize that the
main character (and millions like him) can be generated by just one most
9/11, and then look in the mirror.

And finally, it is completely laughable for you to insist I "tone down
my insulting rhetoric," when you yourself are condescending and
smart-assed. 

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